Babies who are born prematurely will likely sleep a lot at first due
to the fact that their neurological system is not fully developed.  But
that doesn’t mean that their sleep pattern will remain the same, or
that they will always drop off to sleep easily.In fact, 80% of all
children with developmental concerns have some form of sleep issue.

Premature birth adds complexity to the challenging and sometimes
bewildering issues that all parents face with newborns. Understanding
sleep needs of babies with developmental issues is important to promote
healthy development and bonding.

Below, are eight tips to help parents understand and manage the issues associated with prematurity
and sleep. (Continue reading)

1. Get active



2. 
   Adjust your expectations



3. 
   Recognize signs of fatigue and stress in your baby



4. 
   Keep track of your baby’s development in relation to her adjusted age



5. 
   Establish a sleep routine



6. 
   Make her crib a sleep safe haven



7. 
   Encourage napping-try to get her ready for nap before she is exhausted.
   Waiting until she is beside herself with fatigue and over stimulation
   helps no one.



8. 
   Begin to look for signs of fussiness and tiredness 1 ½ to 2 hours after
   waking in the morning.--Often times a baby can’t usually stay awake
   longer than two hours at a time. For the first few months, however, go
   with the flow and get to know your baby—Once she grows older and
   sometime after about 3 months, babies can begin to show signs of a
   pattern and some may begin to be getting their days and nights
   straightened out.